Chicago Cubs 2016 Season

[robertgoulet]

I think that is the key right there. It's going to be a gamble. Schwarber can get us a run with one swing of the bat and one pitch left up over the plate. But the gamble truly is will he actually shake off the rust in time.



If the tweets/rumors are true, it looks like the Cubs think they are on a hot streak and are going all in. Let's hope it pays off!

He doesn't necessarily have to have he rust shaken off to make an impact though. Cleveland has no idea how rusty he is or not. The threat of him standing in the box changes the equation on their end compared to someone like Coghlan or Montero taking that at bat.


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[Second and Chalmers]

This is insanity.

It wouldn't be Joe Maddon if there wasn't some insanity, but still.

 

[South Farms]

This is insanity.

It wouldn't be Joe Maddon if there wasn't some insanity, but still.

It's not insane , but it does have Joe Maddon's fingerprints all over it . Epstein et al , would not be on board with it if it was crazy train stuff

 

[champaignchris]

He doesn't necessarily have to have he rust shaken off to make an impact though. Cleveland has no idea how rusty he is or not. The threat of him standing in the box changes the equation on their end compared to someone like Coghlan or Montero taking that at bat.

This is absolutely a thing. When and how the Indians use Miller is going to be a major piece of the chess match during the Series. Maybe if Schwarber is standing in the on deck circle instead of Tommy LaStella, the Indians bring in Miller an inning earlier than they would like, which then might open possibilities that wouldn't be there later in the game.

 

[Love My Alma Mater]

I'm truly curious as to what you all think because I'm wondering if the Cubs are bringing Schwarber back too soon. I'm sure there is a bit of a trial period where he may whiff on a lot of balls or hit a lot of grounders just as he gets acclimated to game speed again.

Is it worth it to have that guy at bat over maybe Contreras who has seen plenty of pitchers and at-bats this year and this post season? If there is a trial period, it may take KS the entire World Series to get up to game speed.

What are y'alls opinions on it?

I'm with you. Too much hype. He is still a young hitter, it is not like a wily veteran who only needs a few AB's to get timing back. He has missed an entire season, IMHO a few at bats in the Fall league is not enough.

I think this experiment will be a bust.

 

[IanKEvans2]

I'm with you. Too much hype. He is still a young hitter, it is not like a wily veteran who only needs a few AB's to get timing back. He has missed an entire season, IMHO a few at bats in the Fall league is not enough.

I think this experiment will be a bust.

The Cubs aren't going to mess around with a gimmicky experiment during their first World Series appearance in 71 years. If Schwarber is on the roster and starting at DH, it's because he's ready.

 

[Shane Walsh]

I trust in the team management and scouts to make the right choice. They have gotten us this far. Fact of the matter is that Kyle is a long ball threat every time he enters the batter's box. I agree with Goulet and Chris on this one.

 

[Shane Walsh]

Cubs roster released. No real surprise that Schwarber is on it and Z-man is off.

 

[IanKEvans2]

Cubs roster released. No real surprise that Schwarber is on it and Z-man is off.

 

[IlliniInTexas]

Cubs roster released. No real surprise that Schwarber is on it and Z-man is off.

It seems a little strange that the Cubs swapped out a pitcher instead of a fellow OF like Coghlan. Moving to a mixed AL/NL set up with a full time DH in 50% of the games, wouldn't you expect the teams to need less hitters and more pitchers? I get that the starters have done their job and gone deep into games, but this just puts more pressure on them to keep doing that.

 

[Shane Walsh]

It seems a little strange that the Cubs swapped out a pitcher instead of a fellow OF like Coghlan. Moving to a mixed AL/NL set up with a full time DH in 50% of the games, wouldn't you expect the teams to need less hitters and more pitchers? I get that the starters have done their job and gone deep into games, but this just puts more pressure on them to keep doing that.

The arm they swapped out was added to the roster for the NLCS specifically because he is a lefty and the Dodgers were loaded with lefties at the plate. With that being said, he still never made it into a game. Don't overthink it, just enjoy the ride. :thumb:

 

[IanKEvans2]

The arm they swapped out was added to the roster for the NLCS specifically because he is a lefty and the Dodgers were loaded with lefties at the plate. With that being said, he still never made it into a game. Don't overthink it, just enjoy the ride. :thumb:

Bingo. Think of it as the same roster as the NLDS, but swapping out La Stella in favor of Schwarber.

 

[KBLEE]

It seems a little strange that the Cubs swapped out a pitcher instead of a fellow OF like Coghlan. Moving to a mixed AL/NL set up with a full time DH in 50% of the games, wouldn't you expect the teams to need less hitters and more pitchers? I get that the starters have done their job and gone deep into games, but this just puts more pressure on them to keep doing that.

They all had 3 days of rest coming in to tonight. Plus there will be 2 more off-days if the series goes to Game 6. Maddon will be riding his studs.

 

[Hoppy2105]

He doesn't necessarily have to have he rust shaken off to make an impact though. Cleveland has no idea how rusty he is or not. The threat of him standing in the box changes the equation on their end compared to someone like Coghlan or Montero taking that at bat.


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I think this is the biggest thing (even if not by much) among all the reasons to bring him back. Joe now has the ability to get in the minds of the Indians and affect their strategy. He is trying to infiltrate their OODA Loop. (strategic decision cycle created for the military by John Boyd)

Now, the only kicker here is that Kyle has to become an actual threat. If he looks lost out there in game 1 and 2 (when we see him) he will no longer have any bearing on the game or how they strategize.

Maybe a first at bat double/HR could help.

 

[IanKEvans2]

They all had 3 days of rest coming in to tonight. Plus there will be 2 more off-days if the series goes to Game 6. Maddon will be riding his studs.

And if it does get to the point where long-relief is needed, both Montgomery and Wood are available.

 

[KBLEE]

Now, the only kicker here is that Kyle has to become an actual threat.

I actually read that in Joe Buck's voice. :tsk:

 

[champaignchris]

It seems a little strange that the Cubs swapped out a pitcher instead of a fellow OF like Coghlan. Moving to a mixed AL/NL set up with a full time DH in 50% of the games, wouldn't you expect the teams to need less hitters and more pitchers? I get that the starters have done their job and gone deep into games, but this just puts more pressure on them to keep doing that.

You don't need 12 pitchers on a playoff roster. They never used their 12th pitcher against the Dodgers in a lineup dominated by left handed bats. They certainly won't use him against the far more balanced Indians lineup.

Conversely, the Indians only have 2 left handed pitchers, with Merritt possibly only appearing in one game if that. They are heavily right handed. So swapping a lefty pitcher for a lefty hitter makes all the sense in the world. Like I said up thread, even if Schwarber were not healthy, they likely would have dropped Z for LaStella.

 

[Vermilion Slim]

Bingo. Think of it as the same roster as the NLDS, but swapping out La Stella in favor of Schwarber.

Yeah, in that regard it makes some sense as Schwarber hit 5 HRs in 9 playoff games last year and La Stella hasn't got on base in 11 playoff plate appearances.

Still seems crazy to tweak the roster like this after such a successful season. But hey, I'm 100% OK with the decision given the nature of Maddon, Schwarber, and this team in general.

Win it in 4 or 5 boys!

 

[champaignchris]

Cubs had one former Indian play for them this year. Joe Smith was quite good as a reliever for them for 5 years. He had a bumpy time with the Cubs and is not on the active roster for the Series.

The Indians do not currently have any former Cubs. Marlon Byrd began the year with the Indians before being suspended for the rest of the year for steroids. (Possibly the least shocking steroid suspension of all time.) Tommy Hunter and Tom Gorzelanny were both on the Indians a bit before both being released. Oddly, both players were then picked up by Baltimore. Hunter played well and was on the O's playoff roster.

 

[IanKEvans2]

Prediction for game one's lineup:

1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Baez, 2B
6. Schwarber, DH
7. Russell, SS
8. Ross, C
9. Heyward, RF

 

[champaignchris]

Prediction for game one's lineup:

1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Baez, 2B
6. Schwarber, DH
7. Russell, SS
8. Ross, C
9. Heyward, RF

I'm could see switching Ross and Heyward to alternate righty-lefty more. Otherwise I think you're spot on.

 

[BWBW]

I'm still waiting for Heyward to break out and earn the moniker Mr. October (November?).

 

[IanKEvans2]

Via 670 The Score, Maddon confirms Schwarber starting tonight as the DH, along with one other lineup surprise.

Contreras in the OF for Heyward perhaps?

 

[South Farms]

Prediction for game one's lineup:

1. Fowler, CF
2. Bryant, 3B
3. Rizzo, 1B
4. Zobrist, LF
5. Baez, 2B
6. Schwarber, DH
7. Russell, SS
8. Ross, C
9. Heyward, RF

I would maybe put Schwarber at 4 or 5, isn't that where he hit last year ?

 

[IanKEvans2]

I would maybe put Schwarber at 4 or 5, isn't that where he hit last year ?

He hit 6th behind Castro in the playoffs last season.